Figure 1.--We have archived large numbers of 19th century German photographic portraits. This is one of the few where portrits we see with a pinafore. We think this is because the pinafore was a utilitarian garment primarily worn at home. These children had their portrait was taken by M. Keller in Augsburg. It is undated, but looks like it was taken in the early-1870s.

Our chronological information on German pinafores, including pinafore smocks is still quite limited. We have very limited information on the 19th century at this time. We think that pinafores were fairly common in the 19th century, although we can not yet confirm that from the photographic record. We have no information on the early-19th century. And even after the development of photography, portraits showing children wearing pinafores are very rare. The pinafore was a utlitarian garment used to keep clothes clean at home. When the children were taken to the photographic studio for a portait, they were dressed in their best clothes, not utilitarian pinafores or even the fancier type. As the family amateur snapshot did not yet exist, it is difficult to see how children dressed at home. Thus the photographic record can be misleading. German photographic images before the introduction of the CDV (1860s) are relatively rate. The earliest German image we have comes from the 1870s. We do not yet have enough images to develop stylistic changes over time. The pinafore was more commonly worn by girls. Girls of all ages wore pinafores. We believe that younger boys wore pinafores, but can not yet confirm this or follow chronological trends.

Created: 7:20 PM 11/13/2008
Last updated: 7:20 PM 11/13/2008